Jailed motorbike repairer caused a stir in court

Accra A Motor Bike repairer Mustapha Mohammed broke down in tears when he was handed over a ten year jail term for robbing, one Freda Baffowaa, of her Infinix Hot Lite Mobile phone, worth GH 650.00.

Mohammed who pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted on his own plea, broke down in tears after his plea was taken, telling the court to have mercy on him and that he would not engage in any such act again.

The court in sentencing him, said it took into consideration his plea for mitigation, his demonstration of remorse in a way that was exciting and even able to touch the heart of God as well the five days already spent in custody.

The court accordingly sentenced him to ten years imprisonment in hard labour.

The court also noted that the act of the complainant leading to the arrest of the accused was legendary, but not highly recommended because life is precious. Perhaps her action was motivated by the fact that it was the only mobile phone she had.

Prosecuting, Superintendent of Police Kweku Bempah told the court that, the complainant, Freda, 18, is a student of the University of Ghana, and lives at Community 14, Annex, Lashibi, while the convict is a motorbike repairer and lives at Ashiaman.

He said on February 21, at about 1930 hours, the complainant was returning home, from lecturers, and on reaching Vivian Farm junction, the convict who was then riding an unregistered motorbike suddenly snatched her mobile phone worth GH 650.00 and wanted to speed off, but the complainant quickly held his shirt and hanged on the bike shouting for help.

The prosecution said Mustapha dragged the complainant with the motorbike to a distant, and in the process, people rushed to the rescues of the complainant and chased the convict.

Superintendent Bempah said they both fell in a gutter with the motorbike, resulting in the complainant being injured.

Mustapha was arrested and in his caution statement admitted the offence.